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Ministry of Health welcomes Merck Serono; relocating their Intercontinental Office from Switzerland to UAE

Dubai based pharmaceutical and bio-technology Company shows confidence in economy by announcing transfer of Africa and Russian regional management from Geneva to Dubai. Expansion and new jobs will result.

Dubai: Medical professionals, members of the German and Swiss Diplomatic community and UAE government officials gathered at the Emirates Towers to learn of biotechnology and pharmaceutical firm Merck Serono's plans for the region.

Dr. Amin Amiri, CEO of Medical Practice and Licensing from the Ministry Of Health expressed the important and active role in the industry of medical drugs and cancer health camp. " Dubai has been brilliant and distinguished in attracting major international companies in order to develop their operations in the UAE", he added: "that the Ministry of Health welcomes Merck Serono and extends its full cooperation for support and is open to share business plans and studies which would be a mutual benefit for both entities"

Dr. Ayesha Abdullah, Executive Director of DuBiotech and Managing Director of the Sciences Cluster of Tecom Investments said; "I am delighted that Merck Serono is increasing its presence in Dubai. Merck Serono opened its regional HQ in DuBiotech in 2005. DuBiotech was established under the auspices of Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Rule of Dubai, as the world's premier free zone dedicated to life sciences."

Mr Karim Smaira, recently promoted to the role of Vice President Intercontinental for Merck Serono Middle East says; "We saw this as a great opportunity to gather together colleagues, industry partners and associates to announce the increased commitment Merck Serono is bringing to the region. Relocating our intercontinental office from Geneva to Dubai allows us to react quicker to local conditions and reflects the growing economic importance the UAE and the Gulf region in general. In addition, we will now also be managing the entire African and Russian regions from here in Dubai. This will add 66 new countries with a combined population of over 1.14 billion to our existing regional mandate which is the Gulf and Levant region. The move will create new jobs here in the UAE and will certainly increase market strength for Merck Serono in the region"

Mr Wayne Paterson, Vice President of Merck Serono Global, travelled to the UAE from his base in Switzerland to meet with local officials and to officially announce the relocation of the Intercontinental office from Geneva to Dubai. Says Mr Paterson; "Merck Serono has a long and proud history globally and has been operating in the Gulf for over 50 years. Our Board of Directors see the new continental management structure as an ideal way to work more directly with local market needs, and to position management and talent where it is needed most. The decision was also a direct reflection of the huge profile the Gulf, Levant, Russian & African markets are assuming on the world stage."

Mr Karim Smaira also recognized and celebrated the strong local partnerships developed with the medical community & health ministries in the UAE as well as other countries throughout the region. The assembled guests were told of a new Diabetes training initiative run in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Health . The program, to be run throughout the UAE, will provide curriculum development for Diabetes healthcare professionals and will offer training and educational resources to increase diagnostic and treatment outcomes for people suffering from Diabetes.

Reflecting on the long local history, Mr Karim Smaira told the audience; "Merck Serono considers the Pan-Arab region to be a vital strategic market and we've experienced rapid growth in the region over recent years as the healthcare sector itself has expanded its size and capabilities. We've been over 50 years in the Gulf and are committed to the UAE and to the region. We will continue to grow as the UAE grows."

Mr Karim told the audience that Merck Serono is a company known worldwide for developing breakthrough medicines through the use of the hi-tech biotechnology techniques.

"Biopharmaceuticals are the bright future of medical science, and we're at the forefront of the move to a more personalized approach and tailored individual solutions." He added.

-Ends-

About Merck Serono
With a tradition of over three hundred years Merck is the oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company in the world.

Merck Serono Middle East, a division of Merck KGaA, the German pharmaceutical and chemical company with operations in 61 countries across the world.

We specialize in treatments for diseases with serious unmet medical needs: cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, psoriasis and other life-altering conditions for which there is currently no cure.

Merck Serono makes a difference through focused innovations in its core therapeutic areas along with novel, patient-friendly drug delivery systems. It is a difference appreciated by patients and their families, physicians and caregivers, opinion leaders and healthcare authorities around the world.

Merck Serono
Middle East FZ LLC
P.O.Box - 22730,
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates
Tel.: +971 (4) 3752700, 4992
Fax: +971 (4) 4291390

© Press Release 2010

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